Art Splash Connects Buyers and Artists

Sioux City (ABC9 News)- RiversidePark was packed Saturday with families and art enthusiasts alike. People came from near and far to see artists of all kind show off their work.Visitors say there are plenty of reasons to love art splash.

"The variety and the quality are definitely the reasons. Plus the fact that everything is from the region. I particularly like the opportunity to see things from the region," said Linda Trough of overland Park, KS.

"A lot of beautiful artwork, lots of fun, I've already purchased a few things!" said Jeanna Thune from Jefferson, SD.

Art Splash is also an exciting opportunity for artists. Ruth Mikos is showing her unique jewelry for the first time in Sioux City and says it's inspiring to be surrounded by other creative minds.

"It's just fun to see what other people are doing. Because when you do this, you know, for a living you're alone a lot of the time, so when you come to festivals like this it's really nice to just be able to meet other people and see how they're doing and what they're doing and all the different things people come up with," Mikos said.

Other artists come back when they can, and say the personal connection artists get to make with the buyer is the best part of returning.

We get to meet the people that are going to be living with our work, and the people that are purchasing the work, get to know the people that have made it. They get a little story behind the piece that they're bringing home," said Richard Gruchalla who is showing unique, colorful pottery with his wife.

So with new art in hand, new inspiration, and new personal connections to the community, artists and customers agree they'll be back at Art splash again next year.

"There are artists all over the place and anytime you can bring them out into the public and come in contact with the viewing and the buying public, it's always a good thing," Gruchalla added.

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